In its most recent annual compensation survey, the Chronicle of Higher Education has found 30 college and university presidents out of 448 who made more than $1 million in the 2008-09 year — up from 23 in the previous survey.

Compensation comparisons may be tough because rules have changed the way institutions report their compensation packages. The Chronicle reports, however:

But one thing remained the same: As in years past, the top earners included presidents who received large payouts when they stepped down.

About the blogger

Alex Friedrich reports on higher education issues for MPR News. Among the stories he has covered: the fall of the Berlin Wall, aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, 2003 Moscow suicide bombing and 2004 presidential elections in the Republic of Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s in European political economy from the London School of Economics.